Module #1 Introduction to Critical Theory An overview of the key concepts and thinkers of critical theory, and its relevance to contemporary art
Module #2 Marx and the Commodification of Art Exploring Marxs ideas on commodity fetishism and their application to the art market
Module #3 The Frankfurt School:Adorno and Horkheimer Discussing the key ideas of the Frankfurt School, including the culture industry and the dialectics of enlightenment
Module #4 Critical Theory and the Rise of Postmodernism Examining the intersection of critical theory and postmodernism, including the work of Jean-François Lyotard and Fredric Jameson
Module #5 Foucault and Power Structures in Art Analyzing Foucaults ideas on power and their application to the art world, including the role of institutions and curators
Module #6 Gender and Queer Theory in Contemporary Art Exploring the key ideas of gender and queer theory, including the work of Judith Butler and Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick
Module #7 Race and Postcolonialism in Contemporary Art Examining the intersection of critical theory and postcolonialism, including the work of Edward Said and Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak
Module #8 Theories of Identity and Difference Discussing the key ideas of identity and difference, including the work of Homi K. Bhabha and bell hooks
Module #9 Globalization and Neoliberalism in Contemporary Art Analyzing the impact of globalization and neoliberalism on the art world, including the role of biennales and art fairs
Module #10 Critical Theory and the Digital Age Examining the intersection of critical theory and digital culture, including the work of Jaron Lanier and Evgeny Morozov
Module #11 Art and the Politics of Space Exploring the relationship between art and space, including the work of Henri Lefebvre and Michel de Certeau
Module #12 The Artist as Critic and Theorist Examining the role of the artist as a critical theorist, including the work of artists such as Marcel Duchamp and Hans Haacke
Module #13 Institutional Critique and Its Legacy Analyzing the movement of institutional critique, including the work of artists such as Daniel Buren and Hans Haacke
Module #14 Critical Theory and the Body Examining the intersection of critical theory and the body, including the work of artists such as Marina Abramovic and Carolee Schneemann
Module #15 Theories of Spectatorship and Reception Discussing the key ideas of spectatorship and reception, including the work of thinkers such as Roland Barthes and Stuart Hall
Module #16 Critical Theory and the Environment Analyzing the intersection of critical theory and environmentalism, including the work of artists such as Agnes Denes and Hans Haacke
Module #17 Critical Theory and the Non-Human Examining the intersection of critical theory and the non-human, including the work of thinkers such as Bruno Latour and Rosi Braidotti
Module #18 New Materialisms and Object-Oriented Ontology Discussing the key ideas of new materialisms and object-oriented ontology, including the work of thinkers such as Jane Bennett and Graham Harman
Module #19 Critical Theory and the Museum Analyzing the role of the museum in the art world, including its relationship to critical theory and social justice
Module #20 Critical Theory and the Market Examining the intersection of critical theory and the art market, including the role of collectors and galleries
Module #21 Critical Theory and the Role of the Curator Discussing the role of the curator in the art world, including their relationship to critical theory and social justice
Module #22 Critical Theory and Activism in Contemporary Art Examining the intersection of critical theory and activism in contemporary art, including the work of artists such as Ai Weiwei and Cindy Sherman
Module #23 Critical Theory and the Digital Humanities Analyzing the intersection of critical theory and the digital humanities, including the work of thinkers such as Susan Leigh Star and Lev Manovich
Module #24 Critical Theory and the Politics of Aesthetics Examining the relationship between critical theory and aesthetics, including the work of thinkers such as Theodor Adorno and Jacques Rancière
Module #25 Course Wrap-Up & Conclusion Planning next steps in Critical Theory in Contemporary Art career
